How it Works

How it Works

Why get a Damper!

The harmonic damper on the front of your crankshaft is/was there for a reason. Like the shock absorbers on your cars suspension, it reduces the vibration after you hit a bump in the road. Only, in the crankshaft the bump in the road is replaced by the power strokes of your engine.

If you took your shock absorbers (dampers) off the car, then every time you hit a bump the wheel would bounce up and down for a long time afterwards. Similarly, in the engine, the crankshaft flexing between big-end journal and the adjacent main bearing journal is damped after a power stroke with a damper. Without a damper the flexing is exaggerated and fatigue cracking ensues !!!

The trouble is that the harmonic damper is inherently heavy; it is also specifically “tuned” to the rotating masses of the particular engine and its drivetrain. Any deviation from that, eg; lightening flywheels, clutches, engine swops etc. will require a change to the inertia mass on the damper. This is hard maths and gets expensive. Alternatively, the Sterling Damper works on a totally different principle. It is generic by design to specific engine types eg; 4cyl- inline, 6cyl- inline, V8 etc.

How it works

The Sterling Damper works by opposing the torsional forces created in the crankshaft by the power strokes. It has a number of rollers allowed to oscillate or shuttle within pockets, causing a counteractive force to those damaging the crank.

There is a different model of Sterling Damper for each engine type, but it is not ‘specific’ to a particular make of engine. ie; a 90 degree V8 engine has the same model of Sterling Damper, regardless of whether it is a Ford, GM or Aston!

Pulley Flywheel or Clutch?

Vibration Free Ltd provide Sterling Dampers in both Pulley and Flywheel form as they can be fitted at either end of the crankshaft. Where space was tight we even made one in a clutch! Made from heat treated EN24T they are bullet proof.

The technology is not new, its heritage lies within aerospace, where it was widely used on piston engine aircraft and still is.

Light weight alloy versions are available to the racing engine users as no inertia rings are required.

Add Power, Reliability and Relieve Stress

Fit a Sterling Damper Torsional Vibration Absorber

They are not expensive, broken cranks are!

Made & designed in the UK by Vibration Free Call or Email us today to order your STERLING DAMPER